THE IMPRESSIONISTS IN MADRID Two simultaneous exhibitions have been inaugurated these days in Madrid. Both of them share the same aim: give visitors a wide view of the impressionist movement. The exhibitions must be considered complementary to each other. However, the structure is different in each case. The Thyssem Museum has chosen a thematic scheme, grouping the pictures in rooms dedicated to several features of nature: ruins, rocks, mountains, trees and plants; rivers, lakes and waterfalls; skies and clouds , the sea… It is easy to understand the rapid evolution experimented by the artists trying to do their work in the open air, where the light, the aspect of things and the natural elements change their appearance in few minutes and they had to capture an instant: glittering stones, a storm. It’s for that reason they reduced the canvas’s size in many cases and their brush-strokes became swift and light to conclude their pictures before clouds, sunlight or the wind changed a particular or special moment. The visitor can notice this evolution from the earliest pictures coming from the last years of the 18th century, on a more classical and academic style, made at the studio having as reference real elements or landscapes, to the vast majority of pictures by Monet, Cézanne, Courbet, etc… painted in the midst of nature, bearing with the weather conditions and, only in some cases, giving the finishing touches at the studio. All through the 19th century, open-air painting gained importance and recognition. The audio-guide tells an anecdote about a time Monet when he was absent-minded on the Normandy’s shore looking at the landscape and a wave surprised and left him absolutely soaking and stained with his own paints. Leading our steps to the Mapfre foundation, “Impressionists and postimpressionists” focuses the attention on the evolution of the movement, going from the first exhibitions made by the group in the latest years of the 19th century, breaking completely the traditional concepts of painting, to the final split-up, having as a consequence the neoimpressionist movement and the beginnings of the future vanguards of the 20th century. Something that makes absolutely recommendable this exhibition is the seventy eight masterpieces lent by the Orsay Museum from Paris. If you have never visited that museum, distinguished by its impressionist collection, It`s a great opportunity to enjoy a part of the most important pictures that It owns. The Mapfre foundation exhibition emphasizes aspects such as the influences, relationships among artists, their discussions, their disagreements, arguments and the changes in their concept of painting. Personally, I think that you don`t need to be an expert to have a nice time visiting this exhibition. Impressionism is a type of pictorial movement full of colour, intensity and beauty. You will never be indifferent to it. I always recommend a guided visit. Guides are really professional and never look tired or bored by repeating the same things group after group. If the visitor has to choose between the two options, with no doubts, the Mapfre foundation’s is the best choice for different reasons: the admission is free in all cases, guided visits are available every thirty minutes, at least in the evening until six o`clock and the masterpieces coming from Orsay form a whole that you shouldn`t miss. On the other hand, I consider the visit to the Thyssem Museum a bit expensive, ten euros for ticket. Only audio guides are available, 3 euros on top, and the whole is interesting but the pieces, on average, are probably less important. If this suggestion sounds fun to you, from February to the first days of May you can visit it. Joaquín (Avanzado 1)
Two simultaneous exhibitions have been inaugurated these days in Madrid. Both of them share the same aim: give visitors a wide view of the impressionist movement. The exhibitions must be considered complementary to each other. However, the structure is different in each case.
The Thyssem Museum has chosen a thematic scheme, grouping the pictures in rooms dedicated to several features of nature: ruins, rocks, mountains, trees and plants; rivers, lakes and waterfalls; skies and clouds , the sea…
It is easy to understand the rapid evolution experimented by the artists trying to do their work in the open air, where the light, the aspect of things and the natural elements change their appearance in few minutes and they had to capture an instant: glittering stones, a storm.
It’s for that reason they reduced the canvas’s size in many cases and their brush-strokes became swift and light to conclude their pictures before clouds, sunlight or the wind changed a particular or special moment.
The visitor can notice this evolution from the earliest pictures coming from the last years of the 18th century, on a more classical and academic style, made at the studio having as reference real elements or landscapes, to the vast majority of pictures by Monet, Cézanne, Courbet, etc… painted in the midst of nature, bearing with the weather conditions and, only in some cases, giving the finishing touches at the studio. All through the 19th century, open-air painting gained importance and recognition.
The audio-guide tells an anecdote about a time Monet when he was absent-minded on the Normandy’s shore looking at the landscape and a wave surprised and left him absolutely soaking and stained with his own paints.
Leading our steps to the Mapfre foundation, “Impressionists and postimpressionists” focuses the attention on the evolution of the movement, going from the first exhibitions made by the group in the latest years of the 19th century, breaking completely the traditional concepts of painting, to the final split-up, having as a consequence the neoimpressionist movement and the beginnings of the future vanguards of the 20th century.
Something that makes absolutely recommendable this exhibition is the seventy eight masterpieces lent by the Orsay Museum from Paris. If you have never visited that museum, distinguished by its impressionist collection, It`s a great opportunity to enjoy a part of the most important pictures that It owns.
The Mapfre foundation exhibition emphasizes aspects such as the influences, relationships among artists, their discussions, their disagreements, arguments and the changes in their concept of painting.
Personally, I think that you don`t need to be an expert to have a nice time visiting this exhibition. Impressionism is a type of pictorial movement full of colour, intensity and beauty. You will never be indifferent to it. I always recommend a guided visit. Guides are really professional and never look tired or bored by repeating the same things group after group.
If the visitor has to choose between the two options, with no doubts, the Mapfre foundation’s is the best choice for different reasons: the admission is free in all cases, guided visits are available every thirty minutes, at least in the evening until six o`clock and the masterpieces coming from Orsay form a whole that you shouldn`t miss.
On the other hand, I consider the visit to the Thyssem Museum a bit expensive, ten euros for ticket. Only audio guides are available, 3 euros on top, and the whole is interesting but the pieces, on average, are probably less important.
If this suggestion sounds fun to you, from February to the first days of May you can visit it.
Joaquín (Avanzado 1)